Part Time, Full Reward: Reasons to Consider Cutting Back Your Hours

When you hear a physician who’s younger than the standard retirement age say, “I work part-time,” chances are high that you automatically make some sort of assumption about them and their job. You might assume that they need to work part-time to take care of kids or to juggle other personal obligations. You might speculate that the physician’s spouse is the household breadwinner and therefore full-time employment is unnecessary. Or you might jump to the conclusion that the doctor is not prioritizing his or her career.

These are common assumptions because, in many cases, they are true. However, they are by no means prerequisites for working part-time. Many other scenarios make it feasible and sensible to work part-time as a physician. You don’t need a personal conflict or a partner with a hefty income to justify cutting back your hours. And you definitely don’t need to deprioritize your career.

Part-time work deserves a closer look than most physicians give it.

PART-TIME WORK IN MEDICINE

We all understand the basic concept of part-time work as working less than a full-time schedule. The specifics can vary, however, based on situation, industry, and other factors. Official definitions differ, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics considers less than 35 hours per week to be part-time,(1) whereas the IRS sets the threshold at 30 hours weekly for Affordable Care Act considerations.(2) Employers themselves can have their own definitions, too, which sometimes take shift schedules and responsibilities into consideration alongside total hours worked.

There are various models of part-time work in the medical profession. This allows for varying work styles and addresses different practice structures. For instance, part-time hospitalists might concentrate their hours into shorter windows. Primary care physicians might have several half-day clinics throughout the week. An urgent care or emergency physician might work standard 12-hour shifts but take fewer of them over the course of a month than their full-time colleagues. The assortment of models accommodates a range of professional responsibilities and patient care needs.

Part-time work intersects with contract and consulting work. Many physicians supplement their income or even replace traditional employment with independent contractor positions. These can include ongoing contracts with a primary employer or short-term engagements, assignments, or gigs. This reflects a trend in how physicians tend to approach their careers. Many of us balance traditional employment with other work for the extra income or additional experience (or both).

TRENDS AMONG DOCTORS WORKING PART-TIME

Part-time work is picking up steam among physicians. A report from the American Medical Group Association stated that just 13% of physicians worked part-time back in 2005, but this had increased to 21% by 2010.(3) A more recent study by Bodendieck and colleagues found that 32% of physicians surveyed in 2022 were part-time.(4) The 2023 Medscape Physician Compensation Report also indicated that an expanding segment of physicians are cutting down to 25–30 hours per week.(5)

This pattern stems, in part, from a societal shift toward more flexible work arrangements. Part-time employment has increased over the past few decades among the general U.S. workforce. The pandemic and the subsequent “Great Resignation” accelerated the shift, with employers accepting more adaptable schedules and acknowledging the current preferences and needs of the workforce.

It is not just physicians nearing the end of their careers who are scaling back their work. It is also early- and mid-career doctors. Even those still in residency have part-time work on their minds. For instance, nearly 30% of graduating pediatricians seek part-time work at the end of their training.(6)

The interest in part-time employment is not limited to specific specialties or work settings, either. In primary care and certain outpatient specialties, part-time or nontraditional schedules are not only accepted, but also are increasingly used in practice.

Even surgical specialties — which are traditionally more challenging for part-time work because of practice logistics — are implementing part-time and other flexible schedules. Medical practices in rural areas are adapting to the part-time movement to help recruit and retain medical staff.

The shift to part-time work among physicians also spans geographic regions. It is happening across the United States and elsewhere. In Germany, as one example, one in three employed physicians works part-time.(4)

Practicing medicine part-time is increasingly a viable option and, as a result, more doctors are giving it consideration. According to the 2017 Great American Physician Survey, 57% of physicians wish they worked fewer hours, and 64% would be willing to go part-time.(7)

REASONS TO CHOOSE PART-TIME WORK

Not only is there viability and interest in part-time medical practice, there is also appeal. Here are four benefits of part-time work as a doctor.

1. More time and more schedule flexibility.

One of the most obvious (and most enticing) benefits of part-time work is the substantial increase in personal time and flexibility in scheduling. Working part-time inherently means fewer hours spent on professional duties.

Physicians, on average, work 50.8 hours per week.(8) This is significantly more than the average U.S. worker’s 38.5 hours.(9) Working 50.8 hours and sleeping another 56 or so leaves limited time for other activities like family, chores, hobbies, exercise, and relaxation.

Many doctors who work part-time gain more control over their time, in addition to simply working less. Part-time clinical positions often offer the flexibility to choose your schedule, sometimes even allowing changes on a week-to-week or month-to-month basis. This level of autonomy is less common in full-time roles, especially for those working in practices with standard clinic hours.

2. Better work-life balance, reduced burnout, and increased job satisfaction.

A major advantage of part-time work is the significant improvement in work-life balance. In a survey of family physicians, 60% of those who worked part-time chose that path primarily for better work-life balance.(10)

Better work-life balance ultimately leads to other improvements as well. One study found that physicians working part-time face a lower risk of burnout compared to their full-time counterparts.(11) Another found that part-time primary care physicians experience better work control with less burnout and are generally more satisfied compared to full-time physicians.(12)

The correlation between time spent in stressful work environments and the exacerbation of burnout is well-documented. The less time a physician spends in a high-stress setting, the more he or she can recover and recuperate from those stressors.

Part-time work is both a lifestyle choice and a professional choice. Part-time medical doctors experience increased job satisfaction.(13) This is likely because of a combination of influences, including reduced work-related stress, more time for personal interests and family, and a greater sense of control over their work environment and schedule.

3. Maintaining high-quality in-patient care.

A key concern for many doctors considering part-time work is the impact on patient care and outcomes. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that working part-time does not compromise the quality of care they provide for patients. In fact, several studies indicate that part-time physicians often enhance patient experiences and maintain, if not exceed, the care standards set by full-time doctors.

This improvement could be attributed to various factors, including the increased focus and energy that part-time physicians can bring to each patient interaction.

Part-time primary care physicians have slightly higher rates of cancer screening and diabetic management within their patient panels.(14) Compliance with preventive care guidelines and resource utilization have been found to be comparable for part-time and full-time primary care physicians.(15) In hospital medicine, data indicate no significant difference in patient length of stay between patients of part-time and full-time attending physicians.(16)

Part-time physicians also show higher productivity per clinical hour compared to their full-time peers.(15)

Another thing that improves for patients is their overall experience and satisfaction in receiving medical care. This is likely because of part-time doctors being able to make several adjustments to optimize care access and continuity despite working less. Physicians who work fewer clinical hours have been shown to be equally capable of fostering trusting relationships with patients as those seeing patients full time.(13)

Clearly, part-time physicians can deliver high-quality care, with many instances of enhanced patient satisfaction and equal or greater efficiency in certain metrics. If your concern is about maintaining a high standard of quality care if you go part-time, rest assured that you can.

4. Good earning potential and opportunities for career progression.

Two common misconceptions about part-time work are that it inevitably leads to reduced income and that it stunts your career progression. The reality can be quite different — especially when you are strategic in choosing your work, pursuing opportunities, and negotiating your compensation.

Locum tenens positions, for instance, offer the potential to earn as much as or even more than full-time positions. I recently interviewed a surgeon who makes more money doing locums part-time than she made previously in a permanent full-time role. She also mentioned that additional perks make part-time locums work even more financially appealing, such as accumulating flight and hotel reward points and seeing new places without having to pay for a vacation.

Other types of part-time work can also offer great compensation, especially in fields and settings where the demand for physicians is high. This also tends to be true if you are willing to do your part-time work outside of normal business hours. Employers are often willing to pay a premium to doctors who will take less-desirable shifts.

Working part-time provides physicians with more time to engage in lucrative side gigs and consulting work if they wish to do so. Full-time doctors with intensive, stressful jobs often don’t have the energy to pursue other work on the side.

Yet, consulting or contracting work done in addition to your “day job” can drastically increase your overall compensation. Diversifying your income sources through multiple part-time roles or consulting also safeguards your financial stability against job loss.

Regarding career progression, part-time work does not necessarily limit opportunities for advancement. In many cases, it can actually open more doors. By engaging in two or more part-time jobs instead of a single full-time role, you can broaden your exposure to different types of medical practices and healthcare systems. This increases your chances of encountering new career opportunities.

Variety in your part-time work can mean using and expanding your skill set more rapidly, making you a more attractive and qualified candidate for certain roles.

Networking is another component of career development that relates to part-time roles. Working in multiple jobs naturally expands your professional network. Additionally, with the extra time afforded by part-time work, you can invest in professional development activities like participating in professional associations, staying updated with the latest developments in your field, giving presentations, or building a consulting business.

Part-time work does not have to mean sacrificing earning potential or career growth.

PART-TIME JOBS AND OTHER LESS-CONVENTIONAL WAYS TO PRACTICE MEDICINE

Part-time practice is a viable option for many physicians but is often overlooked or dismissed because of misconceptions about working less as a physician. It is far too common for preconceived notions like the ones mentioned above to stand in the way of us truly enjoying our everyday work in medicine.

The approach of pursuing jobs with alternative and flexible schedules is just one of many less conventional career paths detailed in my new book 50 Unconventional Careers for Physicians. I cover a range of options for doctors beyond part-time work, including less common employment arrangements, patient populations, and work settings. It’s a resource for physicians, medical students, and trainees wanting a career in medicine that is rewarding, lucrative, aligns with their goals, and helps them avoid burnout. If this is the type of career that you want, I invite you to check it out!

References

1. Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey: Concepts and Definitions. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. November 28, 2023. Accessed March 14, 2024. https://www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm .

2. Identifying Full-time Employees. Internal Revenue Service. November 6, 2023. Accessed March 14, 2024. https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/employers/identifying-full-time-employees .

3. AMGA. 6th Annual Physician Retention Survey. American Medical Group Association. April 18, 2011.

4. Bodendieck E, Jung F, Luppa M., et al. Burnout and Work-Privacy Conflict – Are There Differences Between Full-Time and Part-Time Physicians? BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22(1):1082. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08471-8

5. Kane L. Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2023: Your Income vs Your Peers’. Medscape Public Health. April 14, 2023. Accessed March 14, 2024. https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2023-compensation-overview-6016341v .

6. Vinci RJ. The Pediatric Workforce: Recent Data Trends, Questions, and Challenges for the Future. Pediatrics. 2021;147(6):e2020013292. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-013292

7. 2017 Great American Physician Survey Results. Physicians Practice. September 11, 2017. Accessed March 14, 2024. https://www.physicianspractice.com/view/2017-great-american-physician-survey-results .

8. Shanafelt TD, West CP, Sinsky CA, et al. At-Risk Work Hours Among U.S. Physicians and Other U.S. Workers. Am J Prev Med. 2023;65(4):568–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2023.03.020

9. Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey: Household Data, Annual Averages. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. January 26, 2024. Accessed March 14, 2024. https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat22.htm .

10. American Academy of Family Physicians. 2018 AAFP Member Census. December 31, 2018.

11. Linzer M, Poplau S, Grossman E, et al. A Cluster Randomized Trial of Interventions to Improve Work Conditions and Clinician Burnout in Primary Care: Results from the Healthy Work Place (HWP) Study. J Gen Intern Med. 2015;30(8):1105–1111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-015-3235-4

12. Mechaber HF, Levine RB, Manwell LB, Mundt MP, Linzer M. Part-Time Physicians…Prevalent, Connected, and Satisfied. J Gen Intern Med. 2008;23(3):300–303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-008-0514-3

13. Bodenheimer T, Haq C, Lehmann W. Continuity and Access in the Era of Part-Time Practice. Ann Fam Med. 2018;16(4):359–360. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2267

14. Parkerton PH, Wagner EH, Smith DG, Straley HL. Effect of Part-Time Practice on Patient Outcomes. J Gen Intern Med. 2003;18(9):717–724. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2003.20401.x

15. Fairchild DG, Sax McLoughlin K, Gharib S, et al. Productivity, Quality, and Patient Satisfaction: Comparison of Part-Time and Full-Time Primary Care Physicians. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(10):663–667. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2001.01111.x

16. Fein OT, Garfield R. Impact of Physicians’ Part-Time Status on Inpatients’ Use of Medical Care and Their Satisfaction with Physicians in an Academic Group Practice. Acad Med. 1991;66(11):694–698. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001888-199111000-00014